AL Cy Young Watch: Scherzer still perfect

Max Scherzer, RHP, Tigers

Scherzer’s candidacy for the AL award is as good as it gets. He’s dominating the classic numbers – 11-0 with a 3.05 ERA and 122 strikeouts in 103.1 innings – and he leads AL starters with a 3.3 WAR, according to fangraphs.com.

Next Thursday: NL Cy Young Watch

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2

Anibal Sanchez, RHP, Tigers

Only a trip to the disabled list has slowed Sanchez (shoulder). He is expected to return soon to add to the 101 strikeouts he’s piled up in 81.2 innings.

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3

Clay Buchholz, RHP, Red Sox

Like Sanchez, Buchholz is on the shelf with a neck injury. That’s the only knock on his season to date, which includes a 9-0 record, a 1.71 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 84.1 innings.

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4

Felix Hernandez, RHP, Mariners

Although his average fastball velocity is in the decline for the third straight year, King Felix has been as good as ever this year. He headed into Wednesday’s games with an 8-4 record, a 2.71 ERA and 112 strikeouts in 109.2 innings.

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5

Yu Darvish, RHP, Rangers

Although Darvish continues to pile up home runs allowed and walks, he leads the league in strikeouts (143) by a wide margin.